Young inventors showcase work

“It is so crucial to get these young kids in elementary school … interested in science, especially young girls,” Hartloff said. “We have a lack of girls in the STEM profession. My passion is getting them involved in elementary and getting them excited because this is where the future careers are heading.”

Susan Casey, author of “Kids Inventing: A Handbook for Young Inventors,” walked the aisles filled with poster boards and inventions. Casey, serving as one of the judges, said she's always delightfully surprised seeing what children come up with.

Steven Good, a sixth-grader at Columbus Tustin Middle School in Tustin, demonstrates a water-powered roller coaster model that won him first prize in his school's science fair during the annual Astonishing Inventions competition at Irvine Valley College Saturday. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Irvine Valley College Chemistry Professor Kiana Tabibzabeh demonstrates the explosive combination of cola and Mentos for young inventors during Saturday's annual Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Elizabeth Rosales of Tustin stands with her daughters Isabel, left, and Sara while they check out student's inventions in the gymnasium at Irvine Valley College during the annual Astounding Inventions competition on Saturday. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Brandon Miller, 7, of Irvine, a student at Deerfield Elementary School, checks out a plasma globe during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions event at Irvine Valley College. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Debbie Vomero of Irvine and her granddaughter Parker Davis, 3, of Irvine touch a small shark in a mobile Aquarium of the Pacific exhibit at Irvine Valley College during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Brandon Shin, 10, of Irvine, a student at Alderwood Elementary, pulls a rope to launch a water rocket built by Irvine Valley College science students during Saturday's annual Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Local elementary and middle school students and their families check out science projects on display in the gymnasium at Irvine Valley College during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Kids check out various sea creatures in a mobile Aquarium of the Pacific exhibit at Irvine Valley College during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Local elementary and middle school students and their families check out science projects on display in the gymnasium at Irvine Valley College during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Local elementary and middle school students and their families check out science projects on display in the gymnasium at Irvine Valley College during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Phoenix Kim, 7, a second-grader at Turtle Rock Elementary, admires Roller Skate Cleats, an invention by Bonita Canyon student Daniel Joshi, during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition at Irvine Valley College. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Praveen Kurapati of Irvine and her kids Sathvik, left, and Keerthana, a student at Westpark Elementary, check out student's inventions during the annual Astonishing Inventions competition on Saturday. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Mika Warschauer, a second-grader at Turtle Rock Elementary, stands by her "Wet Wake Up" machine during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Henry Chen, a second-grader at Northwood Elementary, demonstrates his invention, "The Right Away Waker," which uses lights, sounds and vibration to quickly wake up its user, during Saturday's Astonishing Inventions competition at Irvine Valley College. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Isyss Columbus, 10, a fifth-grader at Lambert Elementary, explains her dog toy invention, "A Rolling Snack," during the annual Astonishing Inventions competition at Irvine Valley College on Saturday afternoon. JEFF ANTENORE, CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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